Frugal. By Nature.

Getting It Done: Doggie Pedicure

Last spring I decided I was ready for a dog. Frankie came in to my life on Memorial Day and both of us have been better off since. He is a 75 pound German Shepherd and about 4 years old. It took us 2 months to figure each other out and for him to get over his broken heart. Now his heart is filled with love and his body full of wiggles.

He does have a couple of quirks, including being very afraid of being left again. Which put me in a very tough spot when it came to getting his nails cut. The first place I took him I had to hand him over to the groomer who took him down the line of dogs and cages. He promptly slipped his collar and came running back to me. I handed him back and had to leave the room. Then, he was so afraid that he peed on the groomer. I wanted to cry for my poor, terrified boy.

The logical solution here would be for me to do his nails. I tried and just can’t. The problem is with me and the fact I can’t bear the idea of hurting him. I also don’t like the feeling of the nail cutter cutting. Stop shaking your heads at me. I am tough, I am strong, I am not queasy with blood or diapers or snot. I can’t do this one.

The next time I tried to have his nails cut, I was at the dog wash. Yes, I pay 15 bucks to use a fancy bathtub to wash my dog. I think of it as a $185 discount on the plumber I don’t have to call if I were to wash him in my bathroom. He produces a LOT of fur. Anyway, as the lady there approached him to do his nails, he rolled back his lips and growled a fierce, face-eating growl. Needless to say, we didn’t push it.

His nails were successfully trimmed in August but only because he was under general anesthetic for dental surgery. It worked but wasn’t really a permanent solution.

On Black Friday I ended up at a vet’s office that also provided grooming. I called the next week and chatted with the groomer. She seemed to understand my plight and was willing to let me be in the room with him and even was willing to let me be right next to him. Most of all, she sounded kind. I made an appointment.

We got there and ol’ Frankie was not fooled. He knew this was not a place he wanted to be. We had to boost him up on to the grooming table. But, since I was there and could talk to him and hold him still, he did just fine. Snip, snip, done! $10.55 and priceless relief.

What I learned from this experience is this: If you have a situation that is atypical, the phone is your friend. Make some calls to see what is available in your area and price range. Explain your problem and see how the folks on respond on the phone. You will strike out and you may strike out more than once. The older I get, the more I realize “normal” is a sliding scale and am always on the lookout for people who also understand that! Keep searching!

Your turn

This post is part of year-long vow to get those projects done that we’ve been putting off. Stay tuned next month as Michelle tackles something on her “Get it Done” list. Now it’s your turn: What project did you finally get crossed off your to-do list this month? What’s on your “Get it Done” list for next month?

Comments

Too funny that you just post this, I just dropped my dog off at the groom, and for the same reason, we just can’t cut her nails! We are big on DIY and try to do most things ourselves to save money ect… but this is one job that is just better off being done by someone else! Thanks for posting :-)

I cut my beagle’s nails for 9 years, but didn’t do a great job of it. Finally broke down and took her to Petsmart–she could see me through the glass so all was well, and for $11 totally worth it. She was also a rescue and had separation anxiety like you describe in Frankie. She never totally got over it (she crossed the rainbow bridge 2 months ago), but we did minimize it by practicing short separations and giving her a small treat whenever we left (beagles LOVE food).

I can’t do it either, I’d die of guilt and sorrow if I ever hurt my little yorkie. But luckily he’s patient and lets the groomer and vet do anything to him.
Your Frankie is beautiful. Bless you for giving an adult dog a home. : )

Hi all,
I have two Daschunds and they are known to have issues with nail trimmimg to begin with, and exspecially if they have ever been clipped to much. We couldn’t afford nail trimmings on a regular basis for two dogs. We heard a info commercial on PEDI PAWS and it has been a life saver ever since. I had to give treats per nail to start with and now we have gotten down to two paws before the treats. I hope that helps you all. I can so relate on this issue!!

Hi Susan,
Lisa’s comment was along the same lines as mine–Dremel makes a tool specifically to “sand down” dog’s nails. I have been to vet’s offices where they use one of these. If the dog can handle the noise and a little vibration on their toes, it works like a charm, and there’s no actual cutting.

Your local pet sitter may also trim nails in the comfort of your home. You can ease your dog into this by getting them used to having their paws touched. When you are relaxing at home, start to gently touch the paws and nails. Give lots of treats too. This makes it less scary.